41st Annual Indy International Festival

November 9th-11th, 9:00am

The Nationalities Council of Indiana invites you to the 41st Indy International Festival 2017.

This annual celebration of the Hoosiers states' diversity in culture and ethnic heritage presents a unique opportunity to embrace the world without leaving Indiana! This year's festival will highlight the continent of Asia and explore the theme “Visual Arts Around the World".

The Indy International Festival, returns Thursday, November 9th through Saturday, November 11th to the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1200 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis.
This event presents the unique opportunity to travel the world in just a
few steps. At every turn, a different culture is represented with
colorful displays, traditional dress, music, movement and dance, and
food and drink. The Main Stage provides non-stop entertainment that is
based on art, culture, and expression from all corners of the globe.
Students and children are given special attention in one of the most
concentrated cross-culture learning experiences available anywhere.

The International Festival is an annual celebration of central Indiana’s rich ethnic and cultural diversity. Hosted by the Nationalities Council of Indiana, Inc.,
this year marks the 41st annual event. More than 50 ethnic or national
affinity organizations plus other groups, businesses, and individuals
interested in focusing on central Indiana’s diversity will host booths
at the event.

The festival is designed to feed the body, mind, and spirit with
tempting foods, educational experiences, and artistic performances from
every continent. Volunteers in traditional dress in dozens of booths
share stories of their ethnic heritage and many offer authentic foods
and displays of cultural items. On stage, talented performers showcase
the beautiful choreography, exciting rhythms, and traditional dress of
their native lands.

One of the primary missions of the
International Festival is to provide students and teachers with an
enriching cultural and educational experience. Thousands of school
children and their teachers will visit the festival on Thursday and
Friday, November 9 & 10 from 9:00am to 2:00pm for the "Education
Days."

These students will have a unique opportunity to learn about
diversity and explore their own ethnic roots as they “travel” the
festival using student passports provided by the
Nationalities Council of Indiana, Inc. Also for students, the
Nationalities Council of Indiana, Inc. partners with the Geography
Educator’s Network of Indiana (GENI) to present the National Geographic Society’s Giant Traveling Maps of Asia designed
to introduce students to the power of maps and the diverse geography of Asia.

Visitors will find interesting gift shopping opportunities at the International Festival in the International Marketplace.
Items from around the world made by artisans and producers whose work
conveys their native heritage and culture will be featured.

While, Representatives from Indiana U.S. Senators and U.S. House of Representatives will participate in a moving Naturalization Ceremony
as part of the Indy International Festival. A large group of people
will become the newest U.S. citizens in a special ceremony on Thursday,
November 9th at 3:00pm.

At the last day of the festival is the Parade of Nations wherein all the member organizations will parade in their ethnic dress on Saturday, November 11th at 7:00 pm.